Western Upper Peninsula Health Department reports incorrect information on State of Michigan website for Houghton County

Cathryn Beer

Western Upper Peninsula Health Department

HOUGHTON COUNTY — The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) reports that the state COVID-19 reporting website is incorrectly reporting a second positive in Houghton County. The state is aware of the error and the count should be updated by Monday.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate for 14 days to avoid potentially exposing others. Remember, the symptoms of COVID-19 are not your usual runny nose and sneezing. Instead, COVID-19 symptoms include fever of >100.4, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. If you feel well, you do not need to be tested. If you do become ill, call your doctor before going in to the office. Testing will be determined based on a risk assessment.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, people should:

— Stay home if they are sick

— Wash their hands frequently

— Avoid close contact with sick people

— Disinfect commonly touched surfaces

— Avoid touching your face; avoid shaking hands

— Follow suggested guidelines for social distancing

WUPHD is working to coordinate their response with federal, state, and local officials, as well as healthcare professionals, institutions, schools, and community organizations. For more information, please contact the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department at (906) 482-7382. Updates are also available at http://www.wuphd.org

A local COVID-19 informational call line is available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST at (906) 487-5545. There is a State informational hotline available from 8 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST seven days per week. That number is 1-888-535-6136. Additional information on COVID-19 can be found on the MDHHS website , or the CDC website.